Add a new and exciting Caribbean race destination to your calendar this season. The first Casa de Campo Regatta 2007 ‘Presidente Cup’ will take place at the Casa de Campo Marina in the Dominican Republic, February 6 to 10, 2007.
Regatta organizer, Antonio ‘Tony’ Torres, explains, “After five years developing regattas at the Case de Campo Marina with the local fleet and averaging around 25 sailing boats, we are ready to hold our first international regatta.”
This readiness has also been underscored by Torres and his crew campaigning their Frers 45, Casa de Campo, on the Caribbean regatta circuit over the last two years, competing in such events as the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, International Rolex Regatta, BVI Spring Regatta and Antigua Sailing Week as well as in Key West Race Week.
Casa de Campo sailing events have also caught the eye of internationally- known sailors such as Steve Barker from Nautor Swan USA; Tom Pollac, president of the Transpac 52 class; America’s Cup skipper, Russell Coutts; and IRC President, Barry Carroll. Last October, Casa de Campo Yacht Club also hosted the CSA Regatta Organizers Conference.
Torres says, “As this is our first year for an international regatta, our expectations are for 30 to 40 boats. We are also anticipating a minimum of two of the best sailors in the world for an exhibition. For this we are working with Force 10 Marketing, a company that organizes the World Match Race Tour, and hope to have Russell Coutts, Dennis Conner, and/or Paul Cayard.”
Caribbean sailors are invited to join in Racing, Performance Cruising, Cruising, One-Design and Classic boat classes. Yachts will be scored with both IRC and CSA handicap.
“Our race area is perfect. Marks will be laid off the coast in front of the Casa de Campo Marina to La Romana,” Torres says. “We’ll have an upwind-downwind course and also an around Catalina Island Race (28 nautical miles). In February, regatta time, we usually have winds from the east-northeast at 18 to 25 knots. The race area is totally protected from big waves because the wind blows from land.”
Regatta activities will kick-off February 6 with a Welcome Cocktail Party & Skippers Briefing. Racing will take place February 7, 8 and 10, with a Golf Tournament held on the February 9th lay-day. Prize giving and a Music Festival takes place February 10 at Plaza Portofino.
To entice entries, the regatta registration is free and Casa de Campo Marina is offering one-month of free dockage, starting January 15 through February 15.
Presidente, a Dominican beer manufacturing company, will be the major sponsor of the event.
For more information, contact Torres at: ttorres@regata.com.do, or visit the regattas website at: www.casadecamporegatta.com
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